Graduate students in several different departments said they were afraid the flexible standards would allow professors to play favorites rather than protecting TFs.

Graduate students also stressed their limited numbers, saying that if standards were set too high some departments would run out of "qualified" TFs and would be forced to cancel some courses.

And some graduate students questioned whether there were "real" problems with TFs at all.

TFs said many undergraduates' complaints about foreign teachers stemmed from xenophobia and racism rather than legitimate difficulties with their TF's English.

"There are always people who aren't going to make the effort to understand What someone's saying," said Andrew Robertson, a second year graduate student in the History of Science Department. "Frankly, there is an element of racism that is just barely covered up by the excuse of students' interests."

TFs also said they were concerned that, in screening out novice section leaders, the University would hurt the education of graduate students who use their experiences leading sections to improve their teaching skills in preparation for future academic careers.